WHEN I first returned to Rockhampton 17 years ago, the Friday night plane home was a veritable party.
There were lots of people connecting with the outside world and each Friday night they brought home what they had seen had learned elsewhere. Many of those people put ideas into practice and our community was better for it.
Years later I see few familiar faces on the plane.
It’s the result of a decline in the influence of regional areas and with that, attrition in the knowledge and decision making capacity so necessary for vibrancy and growth. It’s a massive problem that needs to be recognised.
One person worth listening to who remains in our region is the crusty, yet talented, Dr Hilary Mercer.
Unless you have a child with disability, or some other paediatric ailment, you’ll probably never know the combination of straight-shooting assessment, kindness and professional interest that lies within his Beerholme suites (for a Scandinavian word, it sure sounds Aussie).
To continue reading click the Download buttons at right –>
